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BEM 213 3 of 4 CATEGORICAL ELIGIBILITY BPB 2026-003 2-1-2026

BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUAL STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

• That the group's income is within the gross income limit (130 percent) and net income limit (100 percent); see RFT 250, FAP Income Limits. • Social Security numbers. • Sponsored alien information. • Residency. Note: Although the above eligibility factors are not verified for categorically eligible households, they must be verified if they are not verified by another program. Postponing Denial Postpone the denial of benefits for a potential categorically eligible group until the 30th day if it is likely that the group will be categorically eligible. ISSUING BENEFITS Bridges will compute net income for all categorically eligible groups. One and two member categorical FAP groups that exceed the gross and/or 100 percent net income limit, but whose gross income is at or below 200 percent of the poverty level, and all other FAP eligibility requirements are automatically eligible for the minimum benefit amount. Three or more member categorical FAP groups that exceed the gross and/or 100 percent net income limit, but whose gross income is at or below 200 percent of the poverty level and who meet all other FAP eligibility requirements may be eligible for benefits as low as $1 as determined by RFT 260, Food Assistance Issuance Table. Exception: Benefits are prorated in the initial month of application and benefits will not be issued if the issuance is less than $10. A case with zero benefits will not be opened in Bridges. Therefore, categorically eligible FAP groups with three or more members will be denied or closed if net income results in a zero benefit amount based on the Food Assistance Issuance Table.